Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Review

We Wore Zodiac’s Super Sea Wolf Watch and Here’s What we Think

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There was a time (and still is, in some circles) when a watch was the only thing a guy had to really express himself, short of a colorful necktie and maybe a flashy pair of cuff links. Since a watch was often the one big investment a guy would make in his accessory wardrobe — expected to be worn for work, play, and everything in between — it was pretty important to choose one that was reliable and expressive of his personality. Beyond that, it can also serve as a competitive statement about where a guy has landed in life, from a professional and economic standpoint.

That’s why I’m excited to talk to you about the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf. It’s built from a solid, classic tradition of watch design and craftsmanship, but also has some real swagger, with a bold color statement. It’s a reliable investment in timekeeping, but also signals a playful sense of style. Zodiac launched the Sea Wolf, one of the first diver watches marketed to people who weren’t, well … actual professional divers … back in 1953, so the company has had some time to perfect the concept.

Zodiac Watches

The Review

The packaging for this watch is pretty no-nonsense, and honestly, I kind of appreciate that. Sometimes I feel like watch manufacturers get a little carried away with worrying what the box looks like when it’s just going to end up in a corner of my closet, or worse, in a landfill. The Super Sea Wolf came in a severe black cube, opening to reveal a simple textured case. All in all, an effectively mysterious presentation that’s perfect for gift-giving (since it is that time of year, after all).

My first impression upon unpacking it was that the shiny steel case and bracelet had a decidedly retro feel, reminding me of the watch my dad wore every day back in the 1960s and ‘70s. What was immediately striking, however, were the bright green — somewhere between turquoise, mint, or viridian — and pale orange rings around the face. It’s a bold color choice that elevates the watch from an elegant timepiece to a piece of masculine jewelry akin to the aforementioned cuff links more than anything.

What Stood Out

The Zodiac Super Sea Wolf watch itself was as weighty as expected, with a solid, beefy heft. I had to remove a few links from the stainless steel bracelet to fit it properly to my wrist, but that was a pretty straightforward process. Setting the time and date was a pretty standard operation, and the crown was easy to pop to either of the two positions necessary to do so. Once on my wrist, the deployment clasp snapped in with a secure, reassuring click: I don’t think anybody will be losing this baby. I shook my wrist a few times, and moved my arm around to wind the automatic mechanism. The hands and markings are all very simple blocks of white, with black or green accents, so the whole effect lends a post-modern feeling, as though inspired by the work of “starchitect” Michael Graves. Because of that simplicity, it was extremely easy to read the time at any moment.

What I also found appealing was the fact that the watch looked great with different kinds of outfits. I wore it with my usual “uniform” of neutral T-shirts and five-pocket pants or jeans. It really popped on a chillier day when I was wearing a sporty ivory fleece zip-front jacket. I also had a business appointment where I wore it with a dove-gray suit and a white dress shirt. Again, the sleek steel provided a crisp, business-like accent, and because of the colorful band, I didn’t feel like I needed any further color, save for a solid pocket square.

However, I decided not to wear it to the gym. The stainless steel bracelet and heavier weight just seemed like too much of a liability.

My Verdict

At just under $1,400, the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf is definitely an investment for a lot of guys, but one I’d say is easily worth it. It’s a solidly built watch with great looks and excellent performance. Its “classic with a twist” styling means that if it’s your only watch or your primary timepiece, you’ll be able to wear it just about everywhere. It’s perfect for work and is elegant enough to wear for dressier occasions or a special night out. As I mentioned, I didn’t love it for the gym and probably wouldn’t wear it for a run.

On the technical side, if you throw this on without reading the manual (it’s that simple), remember: Don’t change the date between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. That’s when the automatic date change happens, and you could damage the movement. The automatic winding mechanism, when fully wound, should have a power reserve of approximately 42 hours, so keep that in mind if you don’t wear it, say, over a weekend. Finally, although I didn’t test this, the watch is designed to be water resistant to 330 feet, so, yes, it is a diver watch. And yes, it's well equipped to handle a dive up to 20 ATM.

Some wearers may be scared off by the brighter color combination, but to that I’d counter: If you’re gonna spend the cash, why not have something that commands attention? The good news is that there are other versions of the Sea Wolf in more sedate color combinations such as navy-on-navy, a navy face with a pale blue ring and navy strap, or classic black-on-black with a steel and gold two-tone bracelet and accents. (Besides, the “Aquaman” movie is coming out any day now, so justify the green and orange as your salute to the abyssal superhero.) If there is one downside to the palette, it does feel a bit on the summery side.

Zodiac Super Sea Wolf

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